Holograms march across Spain in defiance of gag law

Activists in Spain have found a high-tech way of protesting against what they claim is a protest gag law, by staging a hologram march, it has been revealed.

The virtual march was held in response to the controversial Citizen Safety Law, that will come into effect on July 1st.

Under the new legislation, heavy fines could be meted out to protesters who are demonstrating outside of public buildings.

The legislation also means that organisers of unauthorised demonstrations could be fined up to €600,000 (£432,000), with a further fine of €600 for disrespecting police officers, and €30,000 for filming or photographing them.
      The march was organised by the group Holograms for Freedom, which saw the translucent figures holding placards took aim at the imminent draconian measures.
 
Although there has been many flesh and blood protests over the law, this latest demonstration saw thousands of holograms gather outside of of the Spanish parliament in Madrid.

Speaking about the protest, Carlos Escano, spokesperson for Hologramas Por La Libertad, told Spanish newspaper El Mundo, said: "Our protest with holograms is ironic. With the restrictions we're suffering on our freedoms of association and peaceful assembly, the last option that will be left to us in the end will be to protest through our holograms."

Demonstrators argued that the holograms now have more freedom than real-life protesters.

The 'NoSomosDelito' (meaning: 'We are not crime') movement is part of a collaboration between 100 different organisations, which called upon demonstrators to get involved by encouraging sympathisers around the world to webcam their face in via the campaign site.
A promotional video launched before the protest started: "With the passing of the Gag Law, you won't be allowed to assemble in public spaces without risking a fine.

"Ultimately, if you are a person, you won't be allowed to express yourself freely. You will only be able to do it if you are a hologram."